Provider Manual

CONFIDENTIALITY

All documentation that is created as a result of the Quality Management Program is confidential and is maintained in compliance with applicable legal requirements and HealthChoices Program policies and procedures pertaining to confidentiality. Such documentation includes, but is not limited to, QMC minutes, quality management data and reports, records of clinical care and services, and administrative records and reports. All participants in QMC meetings, including both QMC members and guests, sign a statement attesting to the foregoing.

The HealthChoices Program and Beacon recognize the need for the careful handling of all clinical and claims information, particularly as it relates to behavioral health treatment. Consequently, we will follow and clearly communicate strict confidentiality guidelines designed by the Commonwealth as well as federal guidelines where applicable. Beacon will take the lead in implementing confidentiality procedures for the HealthChoices Program. These confidentiality policies will comply with Federal and Pennsylvania drug and alcohol confidentiality requirements.

The HealthChoices Program and Beacon recognize that Pennsylvania State regulations governing the confidentiality of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Patient Records and HIV Related Information are unique to Pennsylvania. Specifically, drug and alcohol patient records are protected by federal law and Pennsylvania State Law P.S. 1690.108 (Act 63) and Pennsylvania State Regulation 28 Pa. Code Subsection 709.28 and 4 Pa. Code Subsection 255.5. In particular, the HealthChoices Program and Beacon are committed to compliance with the Pennsylvania Code Subsection 255.5 in requests for information from providers of drug and alcohol treatment services. All records kept by the HealthChoices Program and Beacon will be kept in strict compliance with the Confidentiality HIV Related Information Act of 1990.